Forty-five individuals, including two firefighters from Livonia, headed Sunday to Florida to help with recovery and rescue efforts as Hurricane Irma begins to bludgeon The Sunshine State.

Livonia Fire Chief Shadd Whitehead, a member of the Michigan Task Force 1, is one of several dozen individuals in Florida to help those in need. Whitehead said the task force was getting prepared over the weekend in case Florida called on them.

"We had to make sure we had all the required paperwork and authorizations in order to leave the state," Whitehead said. "We were prepared to go out the door (Sunday)."

That call came at about 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Crews came from across the state came to meet at the mobilization center for the task force in Holly and left Sunday morning for Florida.

The task force, a state group that specializes in rescue efforts, traveled Sunday to Tennessee and finished the drive Monday to Florida. Whitehead said members do not know yet what their mission will be.

Shadd Whitehead

"Our mission can be pretty diverse," he said. "We're taking a full complement in terms of our cache of equipment."

The task force is designed to be self-sustaining for several days, bringing all its own fuel, food, water and equipment to be out performing tasks. It's made up of firefighters and other personnel from across the state, including from places such as Livonia, Northville Township, Sterling Heights and Dearborn Heights, among others.

Livonia firefighter Nathan Lee joined Whitehead as the representatives from Livonia.

The deployment came as Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys early Sunday morning and then hit the rest of Florida and southwest Georgia later Sunday and into Monday. The National Weather Service said the storm had evolved into a Category 4 storm, with winds reaching 130 mph. More than six million people have been ordered to evacuate, one of the largest in the state's history.

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Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

Florida residents are fleeing Hurricane Irma as it approaches the state. These are taken from an airplane showing I-75 at the Florida Turnpike entrance in Wildwood on Thursday 9/7/2017. Andrew West/news-press.com

The task force can assist with a wide array of needs, including search and rescue; water rescue; K-9 search; and others. Members will be equipped with several boats ready to help wherever they're needed.

Michigan Task Force 1 is making some personal history with the trip: support spokeswoman Rayanne Chamberlain said the crews have never been called to serve outside of Michigan before.

"This is our first out-of-state deployment," she resident said.

Once there, Whitehead said they expect to be in Florida for 10 days, though that could change depending on where there's need.

Chamberlain said the crews have been well-trained and are eager to begin serving those in need.

"There's a lot of hours of training on our own time before you go out the door," she said. "Everyone's very excited and wants to get going."